Xavier Pauchard
1880-1948 (France)
French metalworker, Xavier Pauchard is celebrated for bringing the art of galvanizing steel to the furniture industry. His ground breaking, functional chair, stool and table designs are renowned for their stability, lightness and strength. Pauchard grew up surrounded by pine trees in Le Morvan, France. Despite the abundance of timber production around him, Pauchard turned his attentions to metalwork, pioneering new galvanizing techniques to prevent rust. He set up his own company in 1918 selling steel household items. Pauchard’s father and grandfather were zinc roofers, and it was this connection that no doubt led the young Pauchard to experiment with different galvanization techniques. In 1907, he discovered that he could protect sheet metal from rusting by dipping it in molten zinc. After the First World War, Pauchard set about designing a range of household furniture that could be used indoors and out, whatever the weather. His products were universally popular in both homes and business such as cafés, factories, offices and hospitals.Today, Pauchard’s designs have achieved worldwide iconic status and include the colourful Tolix A Chair, Tolix Bar Stool and Tolix Side Table.
“A man possessed of an understanding of raw materials - and the tools used to work them.”
Serge Lemoine, former director of Musee d'Orsay, Paris.
French metalworker, Xavier Pauchard is celebrated for bringing the art of galvanizing steel to the furniture industry. His ground breaking, functional chair, stool and table designs are renowned for their stability, lightness and strength. Pauchard grew up surrounded by pine trees in Le Morvan, France. Despite the abundance of timber production around him, Pauchard turned his attentions to metalwork, pioneering new galvanizing techniques to prevent rust. He set up his own company in 1918 selling steel household items. Pauchard’s father and grandfather were zinc roofers, and it was this connection that no doubt led the young Pauchard to experiment with different galvanization techniques. In 1907, he discovered that he could protect sheet metal from rusting by dipping it in molten zinc. After the First World War, Pauchard set about designing a range of household furniture that could be used indoors and out, whatever the weather. His products were universally popular in both homes and business such as cafés, factories, offices and hospitals.Today, Pauchard’s designs have achieved worldwide iconic status and include the colourful Tolix A Chair, Tolix Bar Stool and Tolix Side Table.
“A man possessed of an understanding of raw materials - and the tools used to work them.”
Serge Lemoine, former director of Musee d'Orsay, Paris.
